Etsy to Sellers on Billing Crisis: Take It Up with the USPS

by: makrwv

As a twelve-year seller with over 11,000 sales, I have never used Etsy shipping, and never will because I just don't trust the company. I use PirateShip, which integrates with my Shopify website and Etsy store (and with eBay, which I stopped selling on after eBay took over payments, but that's another story.) A significant advantage to PirateShip is that I can pay for it with my business credit card and earn cash back - can't do that with Etsy. I've saved thousands of dollars this way, with the added satisfaction of not giving Etsy any more money than I absolutely have to.  

by: Whatnext

With this mess Etsy has done more for Pirateship than any advertising campaign ever could.  So many people have said the same thing - that Pirateship has great customer service, when there is an issue (and it seems to be pretty seldom) they actually work to help the customers to resolve it, not just throw it in their lap. From my own experience when I've had a question they have been quick to respond and follow-up has been great.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of people changing from buying Etsy labels to using Pirateship. Considering how little concern or sense of urgency Etsy showed, who can blame anyone for switching?

by: The End

This event is the death knell for "Venues".
The only thing that will allow us access to the American Market is GOOGLE.
A GIANT online mall.
Can't wait ...all excited......

by: The End

GOOGLE : Needs to "give us the wheel" when it comes to shipping and handling.
Just let us take care of it.
It's all too complicated right now.....
But GOOGLE is almost usable......

by: HappyOne

As a buyer I have found several misuses of USPS shipping. among them an Amazon seller sending a 3 lb package 1st Class Mail, an Etsy seller sending collectible glass Media mail and Ebay seller 8 lbs of dishes 2lb Priority mail. Most of the incorrect weights have been from Etsy - I wonder if some sellers have no scale and are guessing at weight? I have gone to my Post Office and was told unless I wanted to pay the difference keep my mouth shut.
I have used Pirateship for over two years with no complaints. The Cubic rate saves me much money. I had one charge back on a cubic rate box. Pirateship gave me the link to protest it. I had used a USPS Priority #4 Box; USPS checked their photo and found it was next to a larger box. They refunded me the disputed amount in about three weeks. I just started selling on Mercari and Pirateship allows me to copy and paste of whole name & address in one click. As a side note on Mercari I am only selling 8oz 1st Class shipping items with “free shipping” instead of letting Mercari use their shipping and keeping the discount. Also I price most of my items over $20 as Mercari gives a $10 coupon to new buyers toward a $20 purchase (not including shipping). Not a barn burner site but every bit helps.

by: Chicago48

One word:  Pirateship.
However, as an aside:  Shipping costs are killing my sales (slower and less),  profits & revenues.

by: CenTex

@Happyone I too have found Etsy sellers cheat on shipping, I have received orders that were 2+ pounds shipped First Class. Will never buy again from those sellers, even if they were the only ones with what I want.
I don’t use Etsy labels either, have had an account with Endicia for years, I use them for my website and Etsy orders and never had issues with charge backs.  

by: Marty2020

Just want to add my voice of praise to pirateship. Had e few issues over the years with USPS trying to rip me off, recently a 4 ozs package supposedly requiring priority mail postage. I take photos of all my packages on the electronic scale. Sent the photo and got the money back in about a week. The link to dispute USPS overcharge does not allow attaching photos, so I uploaded them to my site and included the link.

I started to use pirateship in March o f2019. I use an excel sheet (as my 'selling manager') where I input the international postage (among other things) savings vs ebay. As of today, I would pay $3,216 more in int'l postage if I used ebay!!! Don't even mention Etsy, NEVER use their labels.

by: AnotherTime

Curious about Etsy estimation of shipping cost.  Last pkg I sent was correct weight but wrong cost charged to buyer when I got to the actual label.  Cents off.. makes me wonder if Etsy successfully updated price increases.
Etsy needs to get out of the business of running my business  and focus on improving their own platform!

by: The End

Just Now : Etsy has not subtracted my refunded transactions this year.
They are saying I made more money than I made.
That's TAX FRAUD.

by: Opalie

Etsy , like any other money processor is just reporting the GROSS amount you were paid. It's up to you to deduct your refunds when you file.

Surely you understand this?

by: The End

Not at all.
Honesty in transactions is NOT Etsy's forte'.
I understand a cheat when I see one.
Etsy is DISHONEST.
Surely you understand THIS....
Go talk down to one of your minions.

by: The End

When Etsy joined me it wasn't the garbage it is today.
Etsy is Garbage.
I use them like they use me.

by: FrYa

I can't believe I found this! This is exactly what I am going through now.